TROTTING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1539, 23 October 1919, Page 18

TROTTING.

After the first payment has been made for the Waimate Plains T.C.’s 1920 Taranaki Futurity Stakes, thirtythree three-year-olds stand their ground. Word from Christchurch is to the effect that the ex-Aucklander Asturio recently met with an accident, which has necessitated a respite from activity. Mr. G. Craw, the president of the Manawatu Trotting Club, has again devoted a gold cup to be competed for at the next annual meeting in April next. Albert Cling is reported to be training on the right way. The New Zealand Trotting Cup candidate is likely to sport silk at Oamaru on Labour Day. At present there are a considerable number of trotters in PalmerstonNorth, and the enthusiasm being shown by those interested in trotting augurs well for the future prosperity of the Manawatu Trotting Club. A keen Palmerston North sporting enthusiast in Mr. G'eo. McKenzie is forsaking the galloping and show business to indulge in trotting. At present Mr. McKenzie is negotiating for the purchase of a couple of decent trotters. The Manawatu Trotting Club have recently received permission to lay down a training track, for trotters only on the' Awapuni racecourse, and the work will be carried out during the next few weeks and will be completed so as to be ready for use be- ) fore Christmas. Owners and train- , ers of trotters in the Manawatu dis- i trict. will appreciate the assistance : given by the Manawatu Racing Club for the furtherance of the light harness sport in that part of New, Zealand.

At a meeting of the executive of the Otago Hunt, a letter was received from the president of the New Zealand Country Racing Clubs’ Association with respect to bringing before the Government the question of making provision to enable each hunt club to be granted an annual totalisator permit, instead of in alternate years. The meeting agreed to support the proposal. It was resolved to write to the Racing Conference and ask it to press for an increase of its powers so that it would be possible to grant an unused or lapsed totalisator permit to a hunt club.

It is unusual for a jockey to ask for an inquiry into his own riding, but this recently happened at the Geelong races, Victoria. Horne was on Scotch Haze, who was second favourite, but finished last, in the Barrabool Handicap, and he asked for au inquiry on the ground that the owner, Mr. H. Cousens, had expressed dissatisfaction with the way Horne rode. The inquiry was duly held, with the result that the jockey was fully exonerated, whereupon the owner withdrew his remarks.